Homeless Hounds, Fashionable Fidos Graced the 5th Annual Reston Pet Fiesta

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Reston, VA – Saturday, May 7 th brought a perfect spring day to the Reston Town Center, which hosted the 5 th annual Reston Pet Fiesta. The one-day event featured over 30 local animal rescue organizations and shelters that brought over 100 homeless dogs cats and even ferrets in the hopes of finding them new families. Benefiting GoodDogz.org, a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization who educates potential dog owners on dog selection a nd care and supports the efforts of rescue groups, the Pet Fiesta attracted more than 8,000 attendees to the heart of Reston for a day of furry fun.

“It was a wonderful event and we enjoyed it tremendously. Most importantly, we had serious adopters and potential fosters come by. So it was all very rewarding and great fun. Now we can't wait until next year,” explained Ewa Rurarz-Huygens, a Board of Directors member with Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland, Inc.

“We appreciate the wonderful opportunity you provided us to showcase our rescue dogs in the fashion show. Athena drew a lot interested, even through she did decide to sit for her debut rather than strut her stuff, explained Lynn Neumann of Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue. “But now that Smokey and Athena have some modeling experience under their belts, they are ready for the circuit. We adopted out two dogs as a result of the event!”

The day began with the Tails on Trails 4K Dog Walk, which attracted over 200 four-legged participants and raised over $5,000 for GoodDogz.org. The morning walk was lead by the GoodDogz mascot “Spot”, along with rescue dogs Sadie and Trevor, and covered both residential and commercial areas around the Reston Town Center.

“Gypsy loved the walk and the event!” exclaimed Fermina Rochac, President of HerndonDogs, Inc. and participant. “She would like to pre-register me for the walk for the next couple of years!”

Pet Fiesta attendees enjoyed demonstrations on pet first aid, caricature drawings, face painting, exhibiting pet businesses and the Dog House of Style Fashion Show featuring twenty rescue dogs. Woofies Online Boutique, LB Boutique and Bow Wow Designs provided apparel for the fashion show. The day also included the Pawsitively Fun Pet Contest featuring categories like the Fastest Frosty Paws Eater and Best Tail Wagger. The contests were sponsored by RestonDogs, Inc., the sponsoring group for the Off Leash Dog Park (OLDA) at Baron Cameron Park in Reston.

GoodDogz.org is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to educating potential dog owners on dog selection and care and supporting the efforts of rescue groups. We believe that by assisting with good dog-owner matches, we'll give each family the best opportunity for a life-long relationship with their new dog and help to keep dogs out of shelters.

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